by Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports

by Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports

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If the NFL was hoping the bounty mess would go away with former commissioner Paul Tagliabue's ruling Tuesday â?? vacating the suspensions â?? the league should think again.

In a statement issued minutes after the ruling, Peter Ginsberg, Jonathan Vilma's attorney, ripped Commissioner Roger Goodell and called for the transcripts of Tagliabue's appeals hearings to be released:

"Two competing forces have been at play since at least March of this year â?? Roger Goodell has been trying every conceivable maneuver to avoid real and honest scrutiny of his manufactured allegations that Jonathan Vilma engaged in a bounty program aimed at opposing players, and Jonathan has been fighting to have an open and fair review of those accusations.

"We are obviously relieved and gratified that Jonathan no longer needs to worry about facing an unjustified suspension. On the other hand, Commissioner Tagliabue's rationalization of Commissioner Goodell's actions does nothing to rectify the harm done by the baseless allegations lodged against Jonathan.

"Jonathan has a right and every intention to pursue proving what really occurred, and we look forward to returning to a public forum where the true facts can see the light of day.

"We call upon Commissioner Tagliabue to release the transcripts of the proceedings held before him so that they are available as we go forward. Finally, it is regrettable that the NFL continues unjustifiably to attack the New Orleans Saints, an organization comprised of decent and honest people who continue to stand strong in the face of these baseless attacks."